Nick Saban backs buying locally in West Alabama chamber ad

View full sizeNick Saban during a meet and greet session with supporters before a speaking engagement at the Team Focus fundraiser Monday April 23, 2012 at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala. (Press-Register/John David Mercer)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban will appear in a new Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama commercial that begins airing this week.

In the 30-second spot that will air on TV via WVUA, Charter and Comcast cable and on local radio stations, Saban says that the quickest way to rebuild a local economy enduring an economic recession and a devastating natural disaster is to shop locally.

Jim Page, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, said the commercial is part of a larger ongoing effort to encourage residents and visitors to support local businesses.

"With the state of the economy and in the wake of the tornado last year, I knew that our membership needed a kind of spark, and the business community did as well," Page said. "So I thought, who is the most well-known person -- well, he is in the state -- but particularly in this area? And that's coach Saban."

Page said the chamber contacted university officials in seeking the help of Saban, who was not paid for his appearance.

In the commercial filmed in the coach's office, Saban explains that buying locally keeps sales tax dollars in the community, where the money supports local schools and keeps neighborhoods safe. Shots of storm-impacted businesses rebuilding are also included in the TV ad, which uses a snippet from post-rock band Explosions in the Sky's song "First Breath After Coma."

"We're really, really proud of the spot. We think it will give people a lot of motivation for them to buy locally. It's also a shot in the arm for us from a membership recruitment standpoint," Page said.

Page said the ad's message applies to all businesses in Tuscaloosa County and the West Alabama region.

The commercial will be featured on the chamber's website this fall, a time when traffic is high due to visitor's during football season, Page said.

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